sleepingtiger
Well-known member
I have a line on a quad, but don't want to fry my baby! What do you experts think?
Thanks-in-advance!
Tony
Thanks-in-advance!
Tony
Philips ECG 6L6WGB in a RKII...are they safe to use?
- Thread starter sleepingtiger
- Start date
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ANIMATED SUSPENSION
Well-known member
I think you might have more chance of frying the tubes, especially if they're of unknown spec and usage. Also 6L6WGB is not the same as 6L6WGC when it comes to plate voltage.
According to these guys, they're safe substitute for 6L6GC.
http://thetubestore.com/jan6l.html
I had a pair in my pro reverb years ago and they were fine. I'd be more worried about their current draw and whether they're within Mesa's range.
http://thetubestore.com/jan6l.html
I had a pair in my pro reverb years ago and they were fine. I'd be more worried about their current draw and whether they're within Mesa's range.
212Mavguy
Well-known member
Hi Tony,
The tubestore blurb contradicts itself regarding the claim of identical guts in a smaller bottle, and the 6l6wgb getting 30 instead of 35 watts of 7581a. Clearly there is a difference. Size of surrounding bottle has no effect on electron flow between cathode and plate.
With that said, if you want to roll the dice, go ahead, but run the amp in a dark room and watch for redplating, if after 10 minutes the plates have none or a VERY slight reddening, you are fine. The slightest plate reddening signifies that the tube is running about as hot of a bias as it can handle, and will have a shorter lifespan than if it was running with less idle current...but will probably sound more girthy and a bit less clean. I agree with the Animated one's earlier post regarding 6l6wgb and plate voltage, but it is entirely possible that the Military spec-ed Syl 6l6wgb might happen to handle higher plate voltages than a vintage Tung sol 6l6wgb will. The "W" in the suffix denotes military spec'ed design, btw. If your amp is one of the Mesa's with a tweed setting, you might wish to use it.
I have a few of those tubes and they are not as hard to find as the tubestore blurb suggests, at all. Going rate on ebay is around 40-70 bucks a pair. I love their tone, it has more bottom and more top than a vintage Tung-Sol 6l6wgb. I love the sound of the TS as well. Hope this helps. Peace.
The tubestore blurb contradicts itself regarding the claim of identical guts in a smaller bottle, and the 6l6wgb getting 30 instead of 35 watts of 7581a. Clearly there is a difference. Size of surrounding bottle has no effect on electron flow between cathode and plate.
With that said, if you want to roll the dice, go ahead, but run the amp in a dark room and watch for redplating, if after 10 minutes the plates have none or a VERY slight reddening, you are fine. The slightest plate reddening signifies that the tube is running about as hot of a bias as it can handle, and will have a shorter lifespan than if it was running with less idle current...but will probably sound more girthy and a bit less clean. I agree with the Animated one's earlier post regarding 6l6wgb and plate voltage, but it is entirely possible that the Military spec-ed Syl 6l6wgb might happen to handle higher plate voltages than a vintage Tung sol 6l6wgb will. The "W" in the suffix denotes military spec'ed design, btw. If your amp is one of the Mesa's with a tweed setting, you might wish to use it.
I have a few of those tubes and they are not as hard to find as the tubestore blurb suggests, at all. Going rate on ebay is around 40-70 bucks a pair. I love their tone, it has more bottom and more top than a vintage Tung-Sol 6l6wgb. I love the sound of the TS as well. Hope this helps. Peace.
sleepingtiger
Well-known member
They will be going in a Road King II v2. Aren't the RK's & Recto'sin general biased pretty cold? I would THINK that would make them "safe", but I'm not as well versed in the technical aspects of tubes/amps. That's why I ask you experts.
I'd hate to have them disappear, only to find out, "Those would be great for a recto/RKII!".
All assistance is MOST appreciated!
Thanks,
Tony
I'd hate to have them disappear, only to find out, "Those would be great for a recto/RKII!".
All assistance is MOST appreciated!
Thanks,
Tony
Mavguy:
I used them for a little over 2 years before I sold the amp. Any of yours red plated in any of your amp? Perhaps I got lucky, but there was no problem, and the amp sounded well.
Sleepingtiger:
Although Mesas are biased cold, doesn't mean that you can just plug in any tube. The tubes have to be able to withstand the plate voltage of the amp, and also within certain current draw range. That's why Mesa recommends GT tube rating 4-6 only. Outside of that range, at worst you can damage your amp.
If you decide to buy the tubes, take the amp with the tube to a tech and have him/her check your bias. If it's within safe range then you're set. If not you can always sell the tubes again.
I used them for a little over 2 years before I sold the amp. Any of yours red plated in any of your amp? Perhaps I got lucky, but there was no problem, and the amp sounded well.
Sleepingtiger:
Although Mesas are biased cold, doesn't mean that you can just plug in any tube. The tubes have to be able to withstand the plate voltage of the amp, and also within certain current draw range. That's why Mesa recommends GT tube rating 4-6 only. Outside of that range, at worst you can damage your amp.
If you decide to buy the tubes, take the amp with the tube to a tech and have him/her check your bias. If it's within safe range then you're set. If not you can always sell the tubes again.
212Mavguy
Well-known member
Hi Trem,
My only Mesa uses el84's...but my boutique Siegmund Blues Breaker head has significantly lower B+ voltage than Boogies due to the lowest voltage main tranny option it has, I run all the old vintage coke bottle 6f6-6v6-6l6 glass I want in class A with no problems besides the Philips/Sylvania 6l6wgb, in that amp they delivered tones beautifully. I have no problem accepting what you say of your experience. Voice of experiece rules in my world, and you did the science.
Stokes ran some Tung Sol 5881/6l6wgb in one of his Mesa amps, in one of his posts he reported thay sounded great and died quickly, less than 13-14 hours If I remember his words correctly. Screen voltage is another important consideration for power tubes when pushing the limits of a particular tube's design in circuit...
My only Mesa uses el84's...but my boutique Siegmund Blues Breaker head has significantly lower B+ voltage than Boogies due to the lowest voltage main tranny option it has, I run all the old vintage coke bottle 6f6-6v6-6l6 glass I want in class A with no problems besides the Philips/Sylvania 6l6wgb, in that amp they delivered tones beautifully. I have no problem accepting what you say of your experience. Voice of experiece rules in my world, and you did the science.
Stokes ran some Tung Sol 5881/6l6wgb in one of his Mesa amps, in one of his posts he reported thay sounded great and died quickly, less than 13-14 hours If I remember his words correctly. Screen voltage is another important consideration for power tubes when pushing the limits of a particular tube's design in circuit...
Although tubes do sometimes defy the manuals ratings,it would not be advisable to run a 6L6WGB in any amp intended for 6L6GC's.Trem,I dont doubt that you had good results with your tubes,but your case is the exception rather than the norm.A WGB is rated for about 360 volts on the plate,your amp puts a lot more than that on them.
